Trip planning is one of my favorite things to do. But that’s not to say it isn’t overwhelming at times. Trying to create an incredible experience for every member of your family is work, man! Throughout the years, I’ve learned some tips and tricks from other savvy travelers and through my own experience of executing travel for our family of 5. I’m going to share with you my top 10 family vacation planning tips, plus I’m giving you a handy dandy travel planner to help you organize and plan ALL THE THINGS. So let’s get straight to it!
Top 10 Tips for Planning a Fabulous Family Trip
This list isn’t exhaustive, but here are my top 10 tips that will guarantee your family trip isn’t like a vacation with the Griswolds.
Gather Your Crew
Call a family huddle and let every member of your circus have a voice. Whether it’s deciding between two destinations or deciding who gets the last say on the music playlist, make it a democracy. This doesn’t mean you have to get everyone’s buy-in on every decision, (because we all know how that would go ????) but find opportunities for everyone to contribute to the trip planning and decision-making. This is the secret sauce to ensuring everyone’s eyes sparkle with anticipation.
Count Your Pennies, But Make Them Dance
Oh, the art of budgeting! It’s like trying to squeeze into your high school low-rise jeans (hello, class of 2002!)—requires some creativity and a lot of wiggling. Remember, every penny saved on deals and discounts is a penny that can make your adventure richer. (Or at least allow for more fruity drinks by the pool.)
Let Kids Be Kids
Pick spots where kids can be kids, and adults can sip that much-needed glass of serenity. Think places with doors wide open to families, with pools to cannonball into, and spaces that won’t leave you tip-toeing and biting your fingernails the entire time. This a vacation for the kids, as much as it is for the adults, so save the Louvre for a grown-up trip, or at least until they’re old enough to actually enjoy it.
The Sacred Siesta
I can’t stress this enough. Schedule in those delicious naps and quiet moments. Even if your kids are teens, you’ll all appreciate the downtime (and break from each other) in the afternoon. The only times we’ve missed rest time in the afternoon was when we did three days of Disney, and we were all practically rabid by the time we made it to our car each day. If there’s one piece of advice that will save your sanity, this is it!
Snag That Cozy Corner Early
Dive into the hunt for the perfect family nest where you can kick off those shoes and feel right at home. The early bird gets the worm or, in this case, the vacation home or suite where everyone has room to breathe.
Travel experts suggest you book your accommodation at least 2 months ahead of time to secure deals on the perfect hotel rooms or vacation rentals. And opt for those free cancellations, so you can monitor the price and cancel for a better price if something becomes available!
Pack Like a Pro
Imagine you’re a magician pulling essentials out of a hat. Snacks that silence hangry children (and husbands), potions for scraped knees, and distractions for the are-we-there-yets. And remember, always pack that extra bit of patience (and maybe that mini-bar bottle of vodka) to achieve packing pro status.
Cut Yourself Some Major Slack
While it’s natural to feel like you’re responsible for making sure everyone’s happy the entire time and everything’s going off without a hitch, YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYONE’S FEELINGS.
If they’re grumpy, let them be grumpy. If they’re complaining, put in your earbuds. You deserve to enjoy vacation, even if your family is making that difficult. Managing your expectations of how everyone will react to the vacation is key to enjoying your trip.
Pro-tip: Leave the kids with dad during nap time and do something for yourself! You’ll come back refreshed and more ready to deal with the grumpy guts. Or even better, book that mom vacation you likely desperately need!
Embrace the Detours
Sometimes the best memories are found off the beaten path or in the unplanned pit stops. Spontaneity is my jam, so leaving the schedule open for exploring local haunts at my destination is a must. You never know what unexpected activity will become your favorite memory!
Capture the Magic
Snap those pics, jot down those giggles, and keep those memories close. They’re the treasures you’ll pull out on rainy days or when the nest feels a little too quiet. Looking back at old vacation photos is one of our favorite things to do with the girls! You can never capture too many memories.
Make a Safety Plan
Before you set off into the sunset, circle the wagons and chat about sticking together and what to do if someone wanders off or is approached by a stranger. Chances are you’ve been talking about safety with your kids since they were two years old and wouldn’t stay in the buggy at Target. But a little prep goes a long way in keeping the adventure light and bright.
Wrapping Up and a Free Travel Planner!
Hopefully, these tips will help your family trip be that much smoother. A vacation will never be perfect, but you’ll be amazed at how well they can go when you follow some seasoned travelers’ advice.
A trip planner will also help ensure your vacation goes off without a hitch. Staying organized is a necessity when you’re planning and packing for the whole family. That’s why I’ve created this free resource for all of us. I’m continually updating and adding pages, so please reach out if you have any suggestions!
Happy planning!
free planner
Seamlessly Plan Your Vacation
We’ve created a travel planner to help you get prepared for your next vacation! This 14-page PDF travel planner includes space for packing lists, itinerary planning, and all of the important details of your trip. Complete the form below and the free travel planner will be delivered to your inbox!
